WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is facing criticism after making two controversial posts on X on Saturday. The first joked about sexual consent. The second targeted longtime wrestling announcer Jim Ross, who is currently recovering from cancer surgery.
In the first post, Flair, 76, shared a mock sexual consent form titled “The WOOOOO Compromise,” featuring a photo of himself from the 1980s. The faux document stated that “both parties involved agree to ride Space Mountain and engage in sexual relations on this night.” It included signature lines for “Adult 1” and “Adult 2,” both aged 18 or older. Flair captioned the image, “Consent is everything,” followed by his catchphrase, “WOOOOO!”
In 2018, Flair posted the same compromise amid the rise of the #MeToo movement, which began to spark change in the pro wrestling industry. His decision to repost it, despite previous backlash, including criticism for trying to profit from it, is surprising given past allegations made against Flair in recent years.
In the notorious 2002 “Plane Ride from Hell,” which was the subject of a 2021 episode of Dark Side of the Ring, Flair faced accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior with a flight attendant. As a result, the wrestling community began to distance itself from him.
Flair’s second post caused just as much outrage. He took a shot at fellow WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, who recently underwent surgery for colon cancer. “Jim Ross will always be Jim Ross, seeking attention,” Flair wrote. He signed off by tagging Ross in his message while advising him to focus on his recovery.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/26014050/Screenshot_20250531_153912_X.jpg)
Fans quickly reacted; one user replied, “Still not too late to log off,” while another added, “Yeah sure, he’s the one seeking attention,” referencing Flair’s history of self-aggrandizing behavior online.
In his 2004 autobiography, Ric Flair: To Be the Man, Flair praised Ross and other iconic announcers for “providing the soundtrack of my life.” Ross returned the admiration, saying, “I wanted Ric Flair in my locker room… I’d be hiring the guy the vast majority looked up to as kids.”
Flair later deleted both posts, but not before issuing a defiant statement:
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/26014051/Screenshot_20250531_153859_X.jpg)
“If you can’t take a joke from a 76-year-old man, then you are living life too seriously,” Flair said. “It was all harmless, lighthearted fun! Just trying to make people laugh and smile!”
Despite claiming it was harmless fun, Flair’s shot at Ross echoed what he said about the announcer during his podcast in 2022. He said Ross had lost credibility with him after making critical remarks during Dark Side of the Ring.
“All he is starving for… is to be relevant,” Flair said on his show.
Flair’s social media behavior and personal controversies have led many fans to question his legacy. Last year, Flair was caught on video arguing with staff at a Florida pizzeria. In the fall, he faced backlash for a tone-deaf response to Hurricane Milton victims in Florida. Although he expressed sorrow for their plight, he admitted he was partying in Las Vegas at the same time.
As society evolves, so too are wrestling fans, who are becoming less tolerant of problematic stars like Flair. For many, the question is no longer just about the legacy wrestlers leave inside the ring. Today, how they act outside the ring matters more than titles, performances, or box office success.
